Public hospitals nationwide are failing at the rate of 3% per year.  A big reason for this is they cannot protect their business and strategic plans from private competition.

Before the 2006 Idaho Supreme Court Frazier Decision, Idaho public entities could issue bonds or borrow money for certain large projects with a bond counsel opinion affirming that the projects were “ordinary and necessary” expenditures allowed by the Idaho Constitution.

An Idaho Supreme Court decision from 2006 has changed the definition of “ordinary and necessary” and made it impossible for county-owned hospitals, such as WKMH, to borrow money in this same manner.

The Frazier Decision blocks all Idaho public entities’ ability to borrow money, lease equipment, and sign multi-year contracts for services, unless put to a public vote and passed by 2/3 majority.

This has forced the county commissioners to make a change in order for WKMH to maintain and expand equipment and facilities.

Recent article in our local newspaper...